2025 AGM: Club updates and decisions

Key takeaways from this year’s Annual General Meeting

The AGM was held at Porchester Community Centre on Sunday 6th April. The procedural items were dealt with in the absence of any objections, and no changes were required to the Articles of Association. The following paragraphs summarise the significant discussions.

Chairman’s review of the year

Steve Leniston’s summary included both sailing and social aspects of the club. In particular, Jocalia’s successful and enjoyable cruise to and around the Western Isles, and her overwintering at Troon. Carina also ventured to Cornwall for a short time, and there is a plan to repeat this in 2025.

The club sails in 2024 were not well promoted nor supported. Steve Giggs has taken up the challenge and put forward some dates and venues that seem to be encouraging more members to join these events.

Sue Tickner was thanked for organising what was probably the last Dinner Dance at the RNLI. The directors have all enjoyed the format but believe it may no longer appeal to newer or younger members. There is a need to hold an Autumn social event of some sort to ensure that members keep in touch outside of their sailing activity. A summer barbecue was also proposed and members were encouraged to organise such an event, possibly in conjunction with a club sail to the venue.

Presentation of accounts

The accounts have been reviewed and approved. The surplus from 2024 and a revaluation of the club’s fleet allows an increase in the share price of 6% to £3.59.

Directors

The usual unseemly rush to propose the motion regarding Director’s remuneration was more orderly this year, and the video action replay was not required to determine whose hand was raised first. Needless to say, the remuneration remains at zero.

Despite this, Steve Giggs (apologies for absence in Australia) has expressed an interest in organising the Club Sails and was duly nominated and approved. Other members wishing to have a say in the management and organisation of the club should indicate their interest to any director.

Financial updates, maintenance plans, and 2025 sailing

Financial affairs, subs and charges

The additional expenses on the update of the boats have reduced the surplus in 2024. The forecast for 2025 indicates some increases in the costs of maintenance and insurance. As a result, the directors proposed an increase in line with the January CPI figure of 3.9%, which was approved by the meeting.

• The sailing charge will increase from £55 to £57 per day
• The charge for a child under 18 who is not a family member will remain at £20
• The voucher discount – already increased in January – will also remain at £20
• The family exclusive rate will be increased in line with 4x the personal rate, i.e., £228.

All increases will take effect on sailing returns submitted from May 1st 2025. Engine hour charges and the cruise supplement remain unchanged. The Club Rules document has been amended.

A takeover of our insurance company has resulted in a change to the terms of the policy. The most significant is the excess on the policy in the case of an accident. The club will now be responsible for the first £2,000 of any claim (previously £500), and the directors have decided to increase the crew’s liability in the event of an insurance claim to £1,000. The club will temporarily take on responsibility for the next £1,000. The directors are actively looking for ways to reduce this excess or insure against it.

Shares and membership

Company Secretary, Richard King, reported that the club currently has 62 members, of which 39 have skipper qualification.

The board also proposed that Andrea and Derek White, currently non-sailing members, should be awarded honorary status for their long-term service to the club. This was approved unanimously.

Technical and yachts

Technical Director, Tim Phillips, thanked the bosuns for their hard work and attention to detail in maintaining and repairing the boats to a high standard.

Jocalia is currently ashore in Troon and will be fitted out and re-launched at the end of April by a working party. A new alternator will be fitted without the Adverc charge management circuit and, with the new batteries, should provide trouble-free service. Crews are requested to monitor the charge state of the service batteries to ensure they are not excessively discharged and damaged as a result. A battery monitor is fitted on the switch panel and should be consulted regularly during a trip, especially if the engine or shore power is not in use.

The top steering bearing has been replaced and steering cables renewed, making the steering much lighter. Maintenance of the steering will be more closely monitored in future.

There have been reports that the display of Own Ship on the chart plotter has been reversed. This is caused by the Course Computer and is a known systematic fault, which cannot be fixed without disconnecting and returning the device to Raymarine. It can be corrected by recalibrating the Course Computer via the Autohelm Control. This procedure is described below and can be found in the on-board manual for the Autopilot Controller, Section 6.2 – Sea Trial Calibration.

The AIS display on the new Chart Display has been inconsistent. This has now been declared by Raymarine as a communication inconsistency between the Simrad AIS and the Axiom Display. A workaround has been designed and will be installed by the working party at Troon.

Elfida spent significant time ashore under repair at the end of 2024. This time was used to carry out all normal winter maintenance, saving money and extending time afloat during early 2025.

She also suffered a water pump failure, resulting in water collecting in the bilge under the engine. It became apparent that many skippers were unaware that there are no limber holes connecting the aft bilge with the main saloon bilge, which is drained by the bilge pumps. See Bosun’s Bits: Updates from Elfida and Carina. The furling gear for the jib has also received attention, and advice is included below.

Carina has had new engine mounts to cure a resonant vibration and the resulting stern gland leakage. A new exhaust manifold has been fitted, and evidence of salt water corrosion in the exhaust manifold was found, which may require attention in the future.

Skills and safety

Skills Director, Steve Leniston, has been undergoing physiotherapy following knee surgery and has been unable to sail for several months. He should return to full mobility within the next month. Steve Brown has been covering mentoring and skipper checkouts in the meantime.

Cruises

Jocalia’s cruise has been approved and will continue from the end of April. The latest schedule is available on the website. Contact Mike Lord for any changes that may occur.

A plan has been put forward for Carina to visit the West Country during July and August. Please contact Stephen Smith for opportunities to sail her.

Stephen Smith also noted it would be extremely helpful to start planning for a 2026 cruise now, to secure contracts for berthing and maintenance. It is Elfida’s turn, and several members expressed an interest in Southern Brittany. The area is superb for sailing and many members are already familiar with the potential facilities. A volunteer is needed to lead the organisation.

Thinking about getting more involved? Contact a director or express your interest in helping shape the club’s future.